Good reads for 09.27.2007

Posted on September 27, 2007

>> Think Web 2.0 is/was innovative?

No? (I don’t either.) But according to Alan Mutter, you haven’t seen anything yet. Media 3.0 is coming:

“The paradigm shift will be enabled by significant future technology developments in such areas as artificial-intelligence software, database systems, media-compression algorithms, network architecture, mobile platforms and nanotechnologies capable of delivering vast computing power to more diverse and tiny platforms than we can imagine today.”

>> Newspapers need to keep an eye on how other industries are communicating. More and more companies are using multimedia to advertise their products. Geico’s Caveman’s Crib Web site (and TV show) is a perfect example. So is what Chrysler’s planning with Jeep 2.0 — “an effort to engage fans via social networks like YouTube, Flickr, Facebook and its own Jeep Experience section on its consumer Web site.”

>> The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is shaking their org chart up. Big time.

And they’re not alone. San Jose Mercury News Executive Editor Carole Leigh Hutton says : “Everyone here knows that the position they hold today may not be the position they hold in six months. I make no commitment that there will be a business editor or a sports editor or a city editor, because that may not be what we need.”

>> Poynter’s looking for your votes on the Seven Wonders of the Journalism World. The mission: “… to remind all of us of the historical forces that help us do our best work today; and to articulate a set of enduring values that will help protect and advance journalism in unsettled times.” Nomination “wonders” here.

>> Here a widget, there a widget, everywhere a widget-widget. Facebook’s decision to open its platform to developers has caused a flurry of excitement over these mini-apps.

From Washingtonpost.com: “Web reality has kicked in, and it’s hard to get people to your site,” says Executive Editor Jim Brady. “You have to throw a lot of fish hooks out there to attract new readers.”

But do so strategically, my friends: “You can’t just build a widget, put it somewhere and they come,” said Maurice Boissiere, vice president of client services of the widget development and management firm, Clearspring Technologies. “The initial burst comes from seeding a widget inline with content. Users are going to NBC.com for content around ‘The Office’–they’re not going to go to Facebook first to get that content.”

>> Blogging can help your current and future career. That’s what Ryan Sholin believes, especially now that he’s left the Santa Cruz Sentinel to work at Gatehouse Media in Fairport, New York.

He says: “Blogging about what you’re passionate about gets you work that you’re passionate about. Mr. Lebowski asked me to repeat that. Blogging about what you’re passionate about gets you work that you’re passionate about.”

Makes perfect sense to me.

Share This

The life of a newspaper man

Posted on September 26, 2007

Cute animation, but I’m betting that our future isn’t this grim.

Share This

Choose your own CBSNews.com redesign adventure

Posted on September 24, 2007

CBSNews.com redesigned, and readers can learn more about what’s new and why via either a video tour with Katie Couric or an interactive tour.

I’m not sure why they’re offering two versions, since the interactive tour is also with (surprise!) Katie Couric, and it’s essentially the same tour, except 1) there’s no video and 2) a reader has the option to select “next.” (Interestingly, you don’t even have to select that “next” button. Just sit back and be passive, if you prefer, because the program will go on to the next slide if you wait long enough.)

I’m so curious what their stats are for this, though. Which will come up on top — video or interactive? In this case, my vote is for video. Personally, I think it was the most effective method of delivering the content.

And CBS is trying out this Web 2.0 thing. Couric says: “At CBSNews.com YOU have a voice. And at our website, you’re a part of the conversation. Share your thoughts and comments on stories, and participate on interactive polls, quizzes, and games.”

So scroll down the page and add your comments …

CBSNews.com comments

Hmm. Maybe not.

So much for reader feedback.

(Link via Cyberjournalist.net)

Share This

Dreams really do come true

Posted on September 24, 2007

The future doesn’t have to mean giving up reading the Sunday paper at your local coffee shop.

Back in May, I wrote about how newspapers need to start thinking of innovative ways to deliver their content. I cited Microsoft’s Surface as a potential new way to read the news.

Are you sitting down?

Editor & Publisher is reporting that The San Francisco Chronicle is testing touch screen tables at seven Tully’s Coffee shops around the city. The tables, which are manufactured by TableTouch, are wireless computers with free access to the paper’s Web site, SFGate.com.

“This is yet another way for us to connect with the communities we serve, and make our content available in new and innovative ways,” Henry S. Ford, senior marketing director for the Chronicle and SFGate, said in a statement.

Update: OK, so a comment by David Black on del.icio.us made me wonder how successful this really will be. As much as I like the idea as a newspaper person, as a reader, after I’m done being wowed by the newness, will I be completely annoyed that the only site I can (partially) view on this table is SFGate.com? Most likely.

The answer is out there … we’ll find it, I’m sure. Meanwhile, I do think this is a bold trial at innovation.

Share This

A bad photo gallery idea

Posted on September 19, 2007

So when you’re sitting in that editorial meeting, thinking of ways to make your charts, fact boxes, etc., interactive, please keep in mind this piece by CNN as a sample of what NOT to do.

I know I don’t have to explain why.

But it’s a great example to show your newsroom the importance of choosing the best media/storytelling form for your content.

At least they didn’t hide the captions automatically on load.

Share This

Motion portraits

Posted on September 19, 2007

OK. I think this is both creepy and cool.

Motion portrait, a Japanese company, has come up with a way to transform a digital photograph of a face into a 3D animation that can blink and move its eyes, turn its gaze to follow the movement of the mouse cursor, express a range of emotions, sneeze and more — all in a matter of seconds.

This could be quite useful to the gaming industry and social networking sites. But can/will we use it in our industry? Probably not in its current version. It looks too animated.

But who knows what the future could bring. If we’re still trying to do talking-head video in 10 years, maybe this could be a way to cut down on expenses? (Now, now, I jest.)

Oh, and I can’t resist linking to an animated Shih Tzu (watch his head and eyes move with your cursor).

Here’s a sample of what it can do to a still photo:

Share This

Trying to change the world through film

Posted on September 19, 2007

So ask yourself this. If you had the entire world’s attention for just a few minutes, what story would you tell? Perhaps you think the world looks at you, your country and your culture… and just doesn’t understand. Then do something about it. Make a film

That’s what filmmaker Jehane Noujaim, who won the TED Prize, is challenging people to do with Pangea Day, which will take place on May 10, 2008, and feature short films submitted by people around the world.

It shows the power of video and the potential that some feel — and passionately so — that it holds. This ad reminds me of what user-generated video is all about and how newspapers should dig a little deeper when they can to receive some meaningful submissions.

Take a look:

Share This

Nat sounds make your story come alive

Posted on September 16, 2007

Mark Poepsel, who teaches Television News Writing at the University of Arizona, has put together two takes of a video package to illustrate the importance of using natural sounds in your video.

Two points to remember:

>> You should include natural sound at a low level underneath all of your b-roll
>> You should use nat sound breaks to highlight important moments in your story

Share This

‘Like Facebook — with wrinkles’

Posted on September 16, 2007

Sites such as Eons, Rezoom, Multiply, Maya’s Mom, Boomj, and Boomertown are targeting older Internet users who are “less likely than youngsters to flit from one trendy site to the next,” reports the New York Times.

So while all we hear about at newspapers is how to get that coveted 18-34 reader who is THE future reader, perhaps we’re missing an opportunity by not addressing needs of older readers:

But there are 78 million boomers — roughly three times the number of teenagers — and most of them are Internet users who learned computer skills in the workplace. Indeed, the number of Internet users who are older than 55 is roughly the same as those who are aged 18 to 34, according to Nielsen/NetRatings, a market research firm.

Share This